Wire wrapping device



Dec. 28, 1965 E. L. ALLEN WIRE WRAPPING DEVICE Filed July 23, 1963 INVENTOR EDWARD L. ALLEN /ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofitice 3,225,796 Patented Dec. 28, 1965 3,225,796 WIRE WRAPPING DEVICE Edward L. Allen, Ulster, Pa., assignor to Ingersoll-Rand Company, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New Jersey Filed July 23, 1963, Ser. No. 297,062 9 Claims. (Cl. 140--117) This invention relates generally to tools for making a connection between a wire and an electrical terminal and more particularly to a device for effecting such a connection by wrapping the wire about and in intimate engagement with the electrical terminal.

One of the objectionable features of conventional type wire wrapping tools is the necessity of inserting or threading a wire to be wrapped about a terminal into a restricted opening, which may become blocked, in the forward end of the tool as well as the necessity of inserting the electric terminal to be wrapped into another opening, which may also become blocked, in the forward end of the tool. Since these operations are to be repeated prior to each wrapping operation, they are time consuming, while the tools require a special design and an experienced operator to perform the preparatory manual and motor operations for making the aforementionedconnection.

One object of this invention is to facilitate the operations of wrapping a wire around a terminal.

Another object of this invention is to provide a simplified device for wire wrapping operations.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a wire wrapping device which is economical to manufacture.

Another object of this invention is to provide a wire wrapping device which is adapted for use with tools other than those specifically designed for wire wrapping purposes.

And still another object of this invention is to provide a wire wrapping device which isolates the wire being wrapped from shock loads.

These and other objects of this invention will appear more fully from the following description of an illustrative embodiment thereof taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side view of the wire wrapping device according to this invention shown in association with a conventional type electrical terminal around which a wire is to be wrapped,

FIG. 2 is a front view of the wire wrapping device shown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a side view of a portion of the wire wrapping device of FIG. 1 taken from the opposite direction relative to that of FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a perspective side view of a portion of another embodiment of the wire wrapping device, and

FIG. 5 is a side view of the wire wrapping device shown in association with an electrical terminal of the type having a collar to illustrate one of the features of the invention.

A wire wrapping device according to this invention is designated and is preferably formed from a relatively high quality steel wire. The wire-form wrapping device comprises an elongated straight shank portion 12 having one end mounted eccentrically in the end of a motor shaft 14 which extends substantially parallel to the rotational axis thereof. Motor shaft 14 extends from a motor 16 which is either of a stationary or hand-held type. The free or other end of shank 12 is formed with a generally U-shaped terminal receiving portion 18 having one of its legs or leg portions 22 extending perpendicularly from shank portion 12 while the other leg or leg portion 26 thereof, substantially parallel to leg 22, is formed with a wire engaging portion or hook 20. The closed end or bight 24 of the U-shaped terminal receiving portion 18 connects legs 22 and 26 to each other to define a recess and is preferably arcuate to slidably receive the various cross sectional forms of terminals around which the wire is to be wrapped. The bight or closed end 24 of the terminal receiving portion 18 circumscribes an are or is arcuately formed about a center which is substantially alined with the axis of rotation of motor shaft 14.

The terminal receiving portion 18 is disposed in a substantially transverse plane with the shank 12 disposed on one side of the plane with its axis substantially normal thereto.

It will thus be seen, as in FIGS. 1 and 5 that the terminal around which a wire is to be wrapped is to be held stationary in the terminal receiving portion 18 in a position substantially in axial alignment with the motor shaft 14 and substantially parallel to the shank portion 12. The wire W is then engaged and guided around the terminal by the portion 20 during rotation of the terminal receiving portion 18 about the stationary terminal to be wrapped. Such engaging and guiding of the wire around the terminal is achieved by the wire engaging portion 20 which extends from leg portion 26 along a plane perpendicular to the transverse plane of terminal portion 18 and disposed on the side thereof opposite from shank portion 12. The leg or leg portion 26 is common to both the terminal portion 18, and to the wire engaging portion 20. Thus, wire engaging portion 20 is formed by a pair of substantially parallel legs or portions 26 and 30 connected to each other by an arcuate end portion or bight 28 at the end of leg 26 opposite from bight 24. Thus, leg portion 30 cooperates with the opposing common leg portion 26 of the terminal receiving portion 18 to form the open end of the wire engaging portion 20.

In a wire wrapping operation, the terminal to be wire wrapped is positioned longitudinally in the terminal receiving portion 18, and is substantially axially alined with the axis of rotation of motor shaft 14, thus, parallel to the shank 12 of the novel wire-form wrapping de vice 10. The portion of the terminal to be wrapped is so positioned that the starting point of the wrap on the terminal is located opposite the wire engaging portion or hook 211 of the wire wrapping device. The wire W to be wrapped is held transversely on the terminal at the starting point of the wrap, the length of the extending wire being dependent on the number of turns required to be wound. When the motor 16 is operated to rotate motor shaft 14, the shank 12, terminal receiving portion 18 and wire engaging portion 20 of the wire wrapping device 10 rotate around the axis of rotation of the motor shaft and that portion of the stationary terminal extending through the terminal receiving portion 18 and along the shank. As the wire wrapping device rotates in a counterclockwise direction, looking from the wire engaging portion in the direction of the motor, the wire engaging portion 20 engages the wire on one side of the terminal causing that portion of the wire to be bent and wrapped around the terminal as the wire engaging portion rotates. Shortly after the start of the wrapping operation, i.e., as the first convolution is almost completed, the motor 16 and wire wrapping device 10 connected thereto are slowly and gradually withdrawn from the terminal to tion thereof. To accomplish this, the free end of the wire to be wound is looped across leg 26 and inserted into the recess of loop 32.

One of the main advantages of the device is that the wire visible during operations of wire wrapping as well as those preparatory thereto are visually controlled, and the wire is positioned with facility, thus, simplifying and speeding up the process of wire wrapping. Furthermore, the device is of simple design and can be produced economically.

The novel device 10 being a wire-form is capable of flexing. Thus, when the terminal portions 18 and 20 encounter excessive resistance to rotation by motor 10, shank portion 12 will distort to reduce the transmitted motor force. It should be readily understood that inclusion of one or more loops 32 will increase the flexibility of shank 12.

Another advantage of the device is that it is attachable to tools which are not specifically designed for wire wrapping purposes. With a simple adapter the device can be attached to, for instance, a portable drill, but if necessary, the wire structure of the device being of considerable flexibility or resiliency, the device could be directly attached to a portable drill without the use of an adapter.

Yet another advantage of the device according to this invention is illustrated in FIG. 5. A connection is to be made with a terminal having a collar and the wire is to be wrapped around that portion of the terminal between the collar and the base of the terminal. Since the collar of the terminal prevents insertion of that portion of the terminal around which the wire is to be wrapped into the forward end of a conventional type wire wrapper, a specially designed device is to be used to effect this type of connection. With the device according to this invention, however, the collar of the terminal is of no objection since the terminal receiving portion 18 of the device is open ended and easily positioned to receive that portion of the terminal between the collar and the terminal base, and furthermore, the shank of the wire wrapping device is eccentrically mounted in the motor shaft, and thus, radially displaced from the axis of rotation of the motor shaft providing for rotation of the shank around the collar of the terminal. With the device according to this invention a wire wrapping connection can be made with conventional as well as with non-conventional type terminals.

Although a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it will be understood that it is but illustrative and that various modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A resilient wire-form device for wrapping wire on a terminal, when rotated, comprising:

(a) a receiver disposed in a lateral plane, and formed to define a lateral opening extending axially therethrough for receiving a terminal to be wire wrapped;

(b) an elongated shank connected at one end to the receiver at the periphery of the defined opening, and extending axially therefrom substantially normal to the plane of the receiver on one side thereof;

() the shank being adapted at its other end to be connected eccentrically to a rotatable driving means having an axis of rotation substantially alined with the axis of a terminal disposed in the receiver to rotate the device for wire wrapping;

(d) a formed hook connected to the receiver, and adapted to engage and guide a wire for wrapping on a terminal disposed in the receiver when the device is rotated; and

(e) the hook being disposed on the side of the plane of the receiver opposite from the shank.

2. A resilient wire-form device for wrapping wire on v a terminal, when rotated, comprising:

(a) a receiver disposed in a lateral plane, and formed to define a laterally open slot extending axially therethrough for receiving a terminal to be wire wrapped;

(b) an elongated shank connected at one end to the receiver at the periphery of the defined slot on one side of the lateral opening thereof, and extending axially therefrom substantially normal to the plane of the receiver on one side thereof;

(c) the shank being adapted at its other end to be connected eccentrically to a rotatable driving means having an axis of rotation substantially alined with the axis of a terminal disposed in the receiver to rotate the device for wire wrapping;

(d) a formed hook connected to the receiver atthe periphery of the defined slot on the side of the lateral opening thereof opposite from the shank, and adapted to engage and guide a wire for wrapping on a terminal disposed in the receiver when the device is rotated; and

(e) the hook being disposed on the side of the plane of the receiver opposite from the shank.

3. A resilient wire-form device for wrapping wire on a terminal, when rotated, comprising:

(a) substantially U-shaped receiver disposed in a lateral plane, and including a pair of spaced sides each connected at one end to the other to define an opening axially through the receiver for a terminal to be wire wrapped;

(b) an elongated shank connected at one end to the free end of one of the spaced sides, and extending axially therefrom substantially normal to the plane of the receiver on one side thereof;

(0) the shank being adapted at its other end to be connected eccentrically to a rotatable driving means having an axis of rotation substantially alined with the axis of a terminal disposed in the receiver to rotate the device for wire wrapping;

(d) a formed hook member connected to the free end of the other of the spaced sides, and adapted to engage and guide a wire for wrapping on a terminal disposed in the receiver when the device is rotated; and

(e) the hook being disposed on the side of the plane of the receiver opposite from the shank.

4. A resilient wire-form device for wrapping wire on a terminal, when rotated, comprising:

(a) a substantially U-shaped receiver disposed in a lateral plane, and including a pair of spaced sides each connected at one end to the other to define an opening axially through the receiver for a terminal to be wire wrapped;

(b) an elongated shank connected at one end to the free end of one of the spaced sides, and extending axially therefrom substantially normal to the plane of the receiver on one side thereof;

(0) the shank being adapted at its other end to be connected eccentrically to a rotatable driving means having an axis of rotation substantially alined with the axis of a terminal disposed in the receiver to define the axis of rotation of the device and to rotate the device on its axis of rotation for wire wrapping;

(d) the axis of the device being spaced from and parallel to the shank;

(e) a formed hook member connected to the free end of the other of the spaced sides, and adapted to engage and guide a wire for wrapping on a terminal disposed in the receiver when the device is rotated; and

(f) the hook being disposed on the side of the plane of the receiver opposite from the shank.

5. A resilient Wire-form device for wrapping wire on a terminal, when rotated, comprising:

(a) a first formed U-shaped portion disposed in a lateral plane and adapted to receive a terminal to be wire PP (b) a second formed U-shaped portion connected to the first U-shaped portion and providing a hook adapted to engage and guide a wire for wrapping on a terminal disposed in the first U-shaped portion;

(0) the second U-shaped portion being disposed in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the first U-shaped portion and on one side thereof;

(d) a shank connected at one end to the first U-shaped portion and extending axially therefrom substantially normal to the plane thereof on the side opposite from the second U-shaped portion; and

(e) the shank being adapted at its other end to be connected to rotatable driving means for rotating the device on an axis extending through the first U-shaped portion in spaced parallel relationship with the shank.

6. A resilient wire-form device for wrapping wire on a terminal, when rotated comprising:

(a) a pair of formed U-shaped portions each having a pair of spaced legs and a bight connecting the end of one of the legs to the end of the other;

(b) one of the U-shaped portions being disposed in a lateral plane and adapted to receive a terminal to be wire Wrapped;

(c) the other of the U-shaped portions being disposed in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the terminal receiving portion on one side thereof, and being formed to provide a hook adapted to engage and guide a wire for wrapping on a terminal disposed in the terminal receiving portion;

(d) a shank connected at one end to the terminal receiving U-shaped portion and extending therefrom cordance with claim 6, wherein:

(a) one leg of each of the U-shaped portions is a leg common to both U-shaped portions; and

(b) the bight of each of the U-shaped portions is con nected to the end of the common leg opposite from the other.

8. The device for wrapping wire on a terminal in accordance with claim 6, wherein:

(a) the bight of the terminal receiving portion is arcuate about a center substantially alined with the axis of rotation of the device.

9. The device for wrapping wire on a terminal in accordance with claim 6, wherein:

(a) the shank is resilient and has a U-shaped loop spaced from its ends for supporting the free end of a wire to be wrapped.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,779,733 10/1930 Hambly -117 2,682,063 6/1954 Miloche 242-7 2,884,210 4/1959 Strauss 242-7 CHARLES W. LANHAM, Primary Examiner. 

1. A RESILIENT WIRE-FORM DEVICE FOR WRAPPING WIRE ON A TERMINAL, WHEN ROTATED, COMPRISING: (A) A RECEIVER DISPOSED IN A LATERAL PLANE, AND FORMED TO DEFINE A LATERAL OPENING EXTENDING AXIALLY THERETHROUGH FOR RECEIVING A TERMINAL TO BE WIRE WRAPPED; (B) AN ELONGATED SHANK CONNECTED AT ONE END TO THE RECEIVER AT THE PERIPHERY OF THE DEFINED OPENING, AND EXTENDING AXIALLY THEREFROM SUBSTANTIALLY NORMAL TO THE PLANE OF THE RECEIVER ON ONE SIDE THEREOF; (C) THE SHANK BEING ADAPTED AT ITS OTHER END TO BE CONNECTED ECCENTRICALLY TO A ROTATABLE DRIVING MEANS HAVING AN AXIS OF ROTATION SUBSTANTIALLY ALINED WITH THE AXIS OF A TERMINAL DISPOSED IN THE RECEIVER TO ROTATE THE DEVICE FOR WIRE WRAPPING; (D) A FORMED HOOK CONNECTED TO THE RECEIVER, AND ADAPTED TO ENGAGE AND GUIDE A WIRE FOR WRAPPING ON A TERMINAL DISPOSED IN THE RECEIVER WHEN THE DEVICE IS ROTATED; AND (E) THE HOOK BEING DISPOSED ON THE SIDE OF THE PLANE OF THE RECEIVER OPPOSITE FROM THE SHANK. 